New Minth plant bringing 1,000 auto jobs to Windsor

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Windsor will have 1,100 new car jobs amid global turmoil and economic fears over the U.S. trade war.

The day after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered global tariffs, Taiwan-based Minth Group announced Thursday that the construction of its $300 million parts factory in Windsor will be completed in September.

Minth officials said Trump’s statement was that the tariffs began as a U.S. liberation day, and he said the timing of the news was a coincidence.

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“I don’t want to encourage that particular American here, but I do feel a little liberated,” William Chin, chief strategy officer of Minth, mocked Trump’s claims.

“I think we are one of the few companies that are persistent in this very tough business environment. We have no plans after the announcement. But I think God has done so and we are happy here.”

The 379,415 square feet plant is the first phase of the multi-built campus on 5000 Cabana Road East, located on approximately 54 acres of Cabana Road East near Windsor International Airport.

Chin said the plant will be built in September and mass production begins at the end of 2026 or early 2027.

The first phase of operation, the production of battery housing for electric vehicles, will create about 1,100 new jobs.

Phases 2 and 3 may increase the generation of plastic and metal decorative parts, such as tailgate and bumper, Chin said. He said the number of jobs in the future phase depends on demand.

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“Whatever the customer needs, we will invest in our customers,” Chin said. “So all the big automakers, whatever we need to do from here, we will do it.”

Company officials, politicians and business leaders attended the ceremony Thursday under the canopy of a large factory currently under construction.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie, Essex MPP Anthony Leadi and Invest WindSuresex Chief Operating Officer Keith Andrews spoke at the event.

The provincial government helped the investment with a $40 million loan through the Ontario Investment Fund.

“It is in such an era where the strength and resilience of our region shines,” Andrews said. “The efforts of our local municipal leaders, our government partners and industry leaders should be recognized no matter the challenge.”

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According to Joe Goncalves, interim CEO and president of Invest WindSuresex, his office began working with Minth Group in September 2023.

Although development of the plant has been underway for several years, the Dilkens’ announcement on Thursday has made even greater sense given the current global tensions.

“I’m happy to be here with the team to celebrate this huge investment, and many of us are saying, ‘Boy, we’re a little cautious about the situation with Donald Trump – everything that’s going on around the world, things that we can’t control,” “But things that we can control.” Boys, we did a great job in Windsor-Essex. ”

Minth has a workforce of more than 25,000 employees in 77 factories and offices in 14 countries. The company makes parts for approximately 70 automotive brands around the world.

The Windsor plant is Minth’s first Canadian manufacturing plant.

Chin said he doesn’t care about Trump’s trade war because he is confident that auto parts that meet the Canadian state-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) will be excluded from tariffs, although Trump’s plan has not yet been crystallized.

“North America is an economic entity,” Chin said. “You can only show the power of North America by working together. Three countries are together. We believe in that. Despite many doubts, we continue.”

twilhelm@postmedia.com

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